The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) is launching a Certificate in Fire Safety for Construction, due to begin on 17 February 2021. The course provides an overview of fire safety and the knowledge to enable the learner to manage fire safety.
The course follows the recommendations in Dame Judith Hackitt’s Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety. The aim of the course is to improve fire safety awareness in the construction industry and will look at current and future legislation, building design and building construction, fire risk assessments, fire science and human behaviour, and how to manage and implement fire safety systems.
Brad Walker, Eng Tech, AIFireE, course leader, said:
“We are pleased to be able to offer this Certificate in Fire Safety. A crucial aspect of building safety, it has been designed for those who are looking to gain an improved understanding of how fire safety principles are applied in the built environment. It will also provide the delegates with a stepping stone to competency for those who have fire safety management responsibilities.”
Proposals in the Building Safety White Paper cover all multi-occupied residential buildings, from a house converted into two flats, to a high-rise apartment block.
The White Paper sets out major reforms in to ensure that that safety is observed at all stages of a building’s lifecycle, whilst proposing clear lines of accountability for building owners and managers as well as a stronger regulatory system.
The Building Safety White Paper includes:
Clear lines of accountability, creating dutyholders with the appropriate knowledge and expertise, who will be legally responsible for safety and reducing fire risk throughout the lifecycle of the building;
An enhanced programme of checks during construction to support evidence of compliance;
The creation of two risk categories, with a ‘Golden Thread’ of up to date information about design, construction and ongoing maintenance required for all buildings of 18 metres or over;
A duty for building to contain the capacity to contain a fire where it originates for long enough to allow it to be extinguished.
A wholly new means for identifying and reducing risks of fire in blocks of flats. This will be easier for landlords and others to understand and apply, and more effective in reducing risks to residents;
A process for residents to raise building safety concerns;
A single process for escalating concerns to the regulator.
The Welsh Government have already taken a number of steps to improve building safety. Last January, following a change to regulations, the use of combustible materials in cladding systems was banned in Wales. This applied to all new residential buildings (flats, student accommodation and care homes) and hospitals over 18m in height.
Julie James said:
In the wake of the tragedy at Grenfell Tower, the Welsh Government has already taken action to make buildings safer for residents.
It’s always been clear, however, that far more fundamental changes were needed to improve building safety in the round.
That’s why we are proposing improvements to every stage of the life-cycle of multi-occupied buildings, from design, through construction and into occupation, so new buildings are safe for each and every resident.
Most importantly, these proposals are designed to empower residents by giving them far more say in the matters that affect their homes and providing clear channels for them to speak up and alert those responsible when things go wrong. Those who own and manage our buildings must live up to their obligations to put things right.
These proposals, if passed into law in the next Senedd term, will create a new and
With the continued uncertainty of live events stretching well into 2021, the National Fire Protection Association have announced that the 2021 NFPA Conference & Expo® will not happen as scheduled and instead will be replaced with the 125thAnniversary Conference Series, a year-long, targeted, virtual experience.
“C&E is recognised as a world-class experience for all our attendees and we can’t safely hold an in-person event of this size,” said Jim Pauley, National Fire Protection Association President and CEO. “We needed to switch gears in order to be able to fully devote our efforts to creating a new, different experience that lives up to our high expectations and one where everyone could safely attend and participate.”
The conference & expo series will feature education sessions for specific areas of expertise, networking events, and product showcases throughout 2021 and culminating with the return of an in-person event in Boston to recognise the 125thAnniversary of NFPA in 2022.
“NFPA is about safety. We are also about leveraging technology to significantly advance the way safety information is delivered and used to reduce loss across the globe,” said Pauley. “The 125thAnniversary Conference Series will innovatively showcase both these aspects.”
The NFPA 2021 annual business meeting will take place virtually this year during the week of June 21,2021.
The annual technical session will take place electronically at a date to be announced. Additional details on the technical session can be found at www.nfpa.org/2021techsession.
Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK) company, announced today that Atlantic Emergency Solutions, Inc. has acquired Finley Fire Equipment Co. Inc., serving Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia. The acquisition includes Finley Fire Equipment’s existing four service locations with plans to add five more in the next 12 to 24 months. Atlantic has over 300 employees across 18 locations and supports seven states and the District of Columbia.
“For nearly 50 years, John Finley and his family have built an extraordinary legacy providing fire equipment and serving departments throughout Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky,” said Joe Pack, President and CEO of Atlantic Emergency Solutions. “This expansion represents a new era for Atlantic and our growing family of sales and service professionals. We’re looking forward to building relationships with customers across the region and are fully committed to providing world-class service for decades to come.”
John K. Finley established Finley Fire Equipment in 1972 and set out to provide the finest products, services, and training available for those who work in the fire service. His son, John W. Finley, took over as President & CEO in 1999. “I am grateful for the foundation my father created, and incredibly proud of the relationships and trust our team has established with our customers over the years,” said Finley. “Together, we made a remarkable impact, and I am confident that our alignment with Atlantic Emergency Solutions will only build on the successes our company has experienced over the years.”
With Atlantic Emergency Solutions’ expansion, an immediate focus on additional sales and service support in Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia includes:
• Strategic investments in additional locations across Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia (locations will be at least 10,000 sq. ft. to accommodate apparatus of all sizes and outfitted with modern electric lifts, tools, and diagnostic systems) • Recruitment initiatives for EVT, ASE, and Cummins-certified technicians • Full-time sales teams (Fire, EMS, and Equipment) to actively support departments throughout the region • A full-time team responsible for Pierce field stock units at customer locations
Atlantic Emergency Solutions currently offers a multi-state service network, large-scale parts inventory, and a knowledgeable team known for their dedication to around-the-clock roadside assistance. To support growing demand, the dealership is actively looking to increase their service network from 18 to 26 locations across their region.
“It has been an honor to partner with the Finley family and the Finley Fire Equipment team since they became a devoted Pierce dealer in 1974,” said Jim Johnson, president of Pierce Manufacturing. “The company has not only been recognized for its leading role in our dealer network but most crucially for their commitment to serving fire departments. Now, as two remarkable teams combine, we are confident the collaboration and shared expertise will be vital to the sales and service experiences of our customers.”
To learn more about Atlantic Emergency Solutions territory expansion, visit www.atlanticemergency.com. For more information about Pierce’s expansive dealer network, visit www.piercemfg.com.
OGUK chief executive Deirdre Michie OBE appeared before the House of Commons Business Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Select Committee yesterday, to give evidence on the Energy White Paper (EWP), published in December.
The recently published paper provides a critical opportunity for a transformational North Sea Transition Deal (NSTD) to deliver new business opportunities, jobs and skills at pace, and protect and transition the wider communities which currently rely on the oil and gas sector.
The powerful committee also had representatives from the Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) in attendance to quiz industry representatives on the content and deliverability of the much anticipated document.
“We welcome the Publication of the Energy White Paper as it demonstrates a holistic approach to energy, which is something we have been asking for in terms of the development of a comprehensive energy strategy.
“It is a timely document which sets out ambitious and challenging expectations of the UK energy industry, including the offshore oil and gas sector.
“It seeks to build on the strengths of our sector and others in a meaningful way – by recognising the contribution the industry can make to a successful transition.
“We’re proud to tell our story. The sector is already in action and changing – building on its strong focus on oil and gas to incorporating wind, CCUS, hydrogen, wave and tidal energies, but there is a still a need for governmental support to help our workers and communities transition at pace.
“We must use this as an opportunity to solidify the importance of our workforce and produce reliable frameworks to support the transition of their knowledge and skills.
“We now need government and Parliament to develop strong legislation to help us deliver our net-zero ambitions whilst ensuring our energy communities are secure and equipped with the necessary infrastructure for a fair transition.”
E-ONE®, a subsidiary of REV Group® have announced the delivery of an E-ONE TITAN® 4×4 ARFF vehicle and Aviation Support 4×4 eMAX® Custom Pumper to the Department of National Defense Canada (DND).
The TITAN 4×4 ARFF will serve the Canadian Forces Base Cold Lake, located near Cold Lake, Alberta. Key features include:
Scania 670 horsepower engine with a Twin Disc® transmission
1585-gallon water tank and a 225 gallon Class B foam concentrate cell
Burner 500 lb. dry chemical system
375/750 GPM Rhino® low attack bumper turret with Akro-Chem® nozzle
Akron 375/750 GPM roof turret with air aspirated nozzle
Full structural plumbing package
Hale 8FG water pump
Fire Research AutoFoam® electronic foam proportioning
Winterization
ECOLOGIC® Foam Test Port
10 kW Harrison hydraulic generator
Orlaco FLIR camera
The Aviation Support 4×4 eMAX Custom Pumper will be used to protect helicopter operations at the Canadian Forces Maritime Experimental and Test Ranges located on the east side of Vancouver Island, at Nanoose Bay. Key features include:
Typhoon® 58-inch medium cab
450 HP Cummins L9 engine with Allison EVS™ 3000 transmission
750-gallon water tank and a 50 gallon cell for Class B foam concentrate
Fire Combat 250 lb. dry chemical system
Zico nitrogen bottle lift and lock system
Akron 300 GPM bumper turret with Akro-Chem® nozzle
eMAX® pump
Full structural plumbing package
Winterization
8 kW Harrison hydraulic generator
Orlaco FLIR camera
“What an honor and a privilege it is to deliver the TITAN 4×4 ARFF and the eMAX Pumper to the DND for use at their military bases,” said RJ Jones, E-ONE’s Director of Sales for US Government and Airport Products. “DND is a driving force in the ARFF industry with more than 50 E-ONE vehicles in service throughout Canada. We’re very appreciative that they continue to choose E-ONE to supply these mission critical vehicles.”
Today, the International Water Mist Association (IWMA), announced that IWMC 2021 will be postponed once again. The IWMA board of directors felt it was necessary to take these measures as it is unclear what the overall situation around 21st and 22nd of April will be like.
“Reluctantly, we have decided to postpone the event, because we do not know what conditions we face if we decided to follow. We would really like to meet face to face, but cannot see this happening in April“, explains IWMA general manager Bettina McDowell.
The venue and the date are currently being re-evaluated. Details of where and when the 20th International Water Mist Conference will take place will be announced as soon as possible.
“We very much hope that the situation will improve and that we can hold the conference in October 2021”, says Bettina McDowell.
The water mist conference is an annual event and the only event solely dedicated to the water mist technology.
IWMC is the latest event to be postponed, following FDIC and INTERSCHUTZ.
Streamlight Inc., a leading provider of high-performance lighting devices, offers a range of high-quality products built with precision and performance especially for law enforcement, fire & rescue and the military. Trusted all over the world by multiple industries, Streamlight is defined by their innovation, delivering effective, efficient, high performance lighting solutions. These feature the latest technology, unmatched performance, incredible value and durability that you can depend on.
The Dualie family of lights are intrinsically safe and feature multi-directional lighting. Its bright light shines both ahead and downwards, helping firefighters avoid slips, trips and falls. The Dualie 3AA flashlight is ATEX and IECEx-certified for use in Zone 0 locations faced by many first responders.
Powered by easily sourced AA batteries, the Dualieâ 3AA features two power LEDs and three output modes: spot, flood and spot/flood simultaneously for maximum brightness. On high, the spot beam delivers 140 lumens, 7,300 candela and a 171-metre beam distance; the flood beam offers 140 lumens and 80 candela over a 180-metre beam distance. The combined spot/flood setting provides 245 lumens. On spot or flood, the run time is 18 hours; in the combination mode, the run time is 9 hours.
The Dualieâ 3AA uses three AA alkaline batteries, and has dual head switches on either side of the body for easy beam selection and one-handed operation. The light features a case constructed from a durable, non-conductive, corrosion-proof polymer resin and unbreakable polycarbonate lenses with scratch-resistant coating. The light includes a rugged, integrated, snag-free clip for use on shirts, pockets and mounting on to gear for hands-free use The light is IP67 rated and is waterproof to 1 metre for 30 minutes. It is impact-resistance tested to 2 metres.
Product Features:
Lumens:
High: 245 lumens (spot/flood combo)
Battery:
AA Alkaline x 3
Size:
7” (17.78 cm) x 1.86” (3.86 cm) x 1.06” (2.69 cm)
Weight:
6.8oz. (192.78 g)
Colour:
Yellow, Orange
Available in yellow and orange, the Dualieâ 3AA has a MSRP of £58* and includes the Streamlight Limited Lifetime Warranty.
Motorola Solutions have announced expanded cybersecurity services to help public safety and enterprises continuously secure their mission-critical operations. Today, cybersecurity breaches are occurring at a rate and level never before seen. Motorola Solutions’ expanded cybersecurity services help public safety and enterprise customers better defend their information networks, employees and assets against today’s threats.
“Securing our products, software and customer networks to deliver public safety systems that are resilient to cyber attacks has always been a priority,” said Scott Kaine, vice president of Cybersecurity Services. “As we’ve seen, though, especially this year during the COVID-19 pandemic, many organisations are being forced to accelerate their digital transformation while simultaneously dealing with a dramatic increase in cybercrime, including ransomware attacks on cities, states and public agencies.
“With the additional services we’re adding to our portfolio, customers can be better protected against threats that may enable cybercriminals to get into devices and systems and access what have been traditionally closed networks.”
Motorola Solutions’ cybersecurity services portfolio, which aligns with the National Institute of Standards and Technologies (NIST) cybersecurity framework, includes:
Managed security services — Security monitoring, incident management and reporting, patching and advanced threat detection and response to protect endpoints, networks and cloud applications and infrastructure.
Advisory services — NIST-aligned risk assessments and consulting, penetration testing, governance and compliance.
System recovery services — Business continuity and incident response planning, system recovery and post-incident analysis.
Cybersecurity training — Training and certifications for cloud security, incident response management and risk management.
Cybercrime will cost the global economy an estimated (1) $6 trillion by 2021, driven by complex IT environments, a limited pool of cybersecurity professionals and the ever-growing arsenal of tools and opportunities for cybercriminals, creating a perfect storm for organisations around the world.
According to a recent study (2), 56 percent of IT security professionals surveyed said their organisations were at risk due to cybersecurity staff shortages. Motorola Solutions’ expanded cybersecurity services include a 24/7 security operations center (SOC) staffed by a dedicated team of experts who proactively monitor cybersecurity events around the clock, helping organisations to detect and respond to threats faster and bridge the cybersecurity talent gap.
“At Motorola Solutions, we believe safety is the foundation of everything,” added Kaine. “Through strategic investments in new acquisitions and our ongoing commitment to product innovation, we’re sending a clear message to the market and our customers that we’re serious about cybersecurity.”
Recent acquisitions include Delta Risk, a leading consulting and managed security services provider (MSSP), and Lunarline, a professional services firm with deep expertise in training, FedRAMP and Third-Party Assessments.
The issue of sexism and mental health within the fire services has been highlighted in the latest edition of the Resilience podcast.
One of Britain’s highest-ranking female firefighters has revealed that women make up less than 7% of the nation’s 32,223 crews, with women seemingly reluctant to apply for posts.
Sabrina Cohen-Hatton, chief fire officer at West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, believes more women should be encouraged to sign up for the demanding career. “It’s important that we have the best of the best. The problem is, the stereotype of a firefighter is so strong and so pervasive, that many people who would be the best firefighters haven’t even thought about it, because that ruffty-tuffty stereotype is not appealing to them.
Sabrina Cohen-Hatton
“So, I’m only getting the best of the best of a really small demographic and that has to change.” Cohen-Hatton, who joined the fire service after she spent two years destitute and living on the streets as a teenager, opened up about her challenges in the latest episode of the Resilience podcast, which brings together members of Blesma, The Limbless Veterans, and public figures in an inspirational podcast series. She shared her experiences with Josh Boggi, a former Royal Engineer, who lost both his legs and right arm in an IED explosion in Afghanistan when he was 23-years-old.
“When I joined, only 1% were women and now we are at 7% which is still very small so I do find it difficult to jump with joy talking about such a marginal increase,” she says. “I don’t believe in having an arbitrary quota. I don’t think that we should look to have a certain percentage of women in the workforce by any stretch of the imagination. But what’s important to me is that we have the best of the best to be firefighters.”
Josh Boggi
Cohen Hatton, who put herself through university after joining the fire brigade in her home town of Newport, South Wales, adds: “Being a good firefighter means that you’re calm under pressure, it means you’re decisive, it means you’re good at problem-solving, you’re good at communicating, you’re good at working in a team.
Absolutely none of those qualities is determined by your gender at all. Sabrina experienced sexism and sexual harassment when she joined up in 2000. “I’ve had some of the best experiences of my life in the fire service. It’s a real privilege to be one of the ones that are trusted to do what we do and that has been incredible,” she told the Resilience podcast.
“There have been some really tough times don’t get me wrong. I have experienced some sexism, especially in the early days. I haven’t always been welcomed with open arms. In fact, when I first joined people used to say to me, yeah, ‘I just don’t agree with women in the job. Sorry, no offence to you. It’s not a place for girls.’”
She emphasised that the sexists were in a small minority, adding: “I’ve also worked with people who are still like big brothers to me to this very day and work with people who have made me believe in myself so much that it pushed me to do things that I didn’t think that I was capable of. And, you know, it’s just been an incredible career.”
Sabrina and Josh found common ground talking about facing adversity when they discussed the difficulty in asking for help when in a ‘protector role’ such as theirs, and the need for having a provision which makes that easier; normalising talking about our mental health.
Sabrina added: “The thing about being a firefighter is it does become part of your identity and how you see yourself. We know that frontline responders are disproportionately more likely than the general population to suffer with their mental health, which is probably not a surprise given your repeated exposure to trauma.
“But interestingly, we are also less likely than the general population to ask for help. When you think about that, when you see yourself as a protector then the idea that you might need some help yourself can be counter-intuitive, so it can be more difficult to ask.
“I think the other thing specific to the emergency services is that when we see the effects of mental health issues it is at crisis point, – emergency services will deal with the aftereffects. Whether because it’s part of your job and you are exposed to other people’s trauma on a daily basis or whether because you’ve experienced a significant trauma. I think it’s really important that we know how to ask for help.”
The Resilience podcast Sessions, which are featured on the Samaritans wellbeing app, grew from the Making Generation R campaign, which trained members of Blesma to tell their stories of overcoming adversity to 100,000 front line workers, first responders and young people.
Alice Driver, founder of The Drive Project which devised the programme and presenter of The Resilience Sessions,added: “The podcasts are inspirational. You feel like you are part of the conversation between individuals who have been through tough challenges but have come out the other end and are able to talk about how they did it.”
The Resilience podcast, with a new episode every Tuesday features NASA astronaut and Commander of the ISS Steve Swanson, singer and comedienne Judith Owen, Chief Fire Officer and psychologist Sabrina Cohen-Hatton, and former SAS officer Billy Billingham MBE, who stars in the hit TV adventure series Who Dares Wins.
